Story: Darkness Dawning (all chapters)

The heat of the water flowed across her face and down her body. Willing her muscles to loosen, she closes her eyes and exhales a breath of frustration. The showers in the barracks smelt of disinfectant and wet male, and it didn’t really help to ease her mind. At least most of the other Marines were on duty, allowing her the chance to shower in relative peace without the eyes of her new fire team inspecting her. The UAC being an equal opportunity employer believed in cohabitation and teamwork of its corps. As grand a notion as equality is the plain truth is that most heterosexual men are constantly thinking of sex. It made her remember her basic training when one of the recruits she was showering with became aroused next to her. She laughed a little at the thought. He never did it again after she kneed him. Giving up the solitude, she shuts off the water and makes her way to the lockers to dress.

She went through the motions of readying herself to report to the master sergeant for assignment. Fixing her utility uniform she walks toward the sinks. Looking up at the face in the mirror, God, I look like hell. Her blue eyes were still bloodshot and haggard. Her pale skin looked slightly paler than usual. The days without a decent night’s sleep and the stress of the court-martial had caught up with her. She tried in vain to sleep during the transport to Mars, but her mind refused to shut down long enough to relax.  She tucks her black hair behind her ears. I hope I don’t have to cut it. I look retarded with a high and tight. Her hair wasn’t that long, coming down slightly to the bottom of her ears, but by military standards it was almost civilian trashy. She takes one last look at her self, inspecting her uniform for fault. Time to get this over with.

Walking into central command she approaches a young Marine who abruptly points to an office without even looking up from his computer terminal.

“Master Sergeant is waiting for you to report. Get in there.”

She walks into the office promptly coming to attention to a gruff looking man in his late forties.

“Sir, Corporal Corbin, reporting for duty, sir.”

He looks up from the terminal screen to eye her. She stands at attention waiting. He takes a deep breath and scowls.

“Corbin, Alexandra, ID 25451-11. Finished boot camp in the top platoon and was in Force Reconnaissance. Specialized in tactical maneuvers and a 2 degree black belt from MCMAP. Awarded the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. Busted down to Corporal for insubordination during the Hayes Conflict.”

Corbin stood stone faced and unmoving staring at nothing. He looks at her disapprovingly.

“You’re in my command now, Marine. I do not tolerate insubordination of any kind. You so much as look the wrong way; I swear when I’m done, you’ll be a Private cleaning latrines on an orbital frigate. Do I make myself clear?”

“Sir, yes, sir.”

He picks up a PDA and hands it to her.

“You are assigned to Beta labs. Report to Sergeant Bridges for debriefing. Dismissed.”

Corbin walks out of command with a PDA in hand. Just what I thought a prince among men. She makes her way to Beta labs, getting lost along the way. The halls all looked the same and the people working there were not willing to give any directions. Finally in central receiving she found a map. Meeting Sergeant Bridges was just as lovely as Master Sergeant. After a twenty minute conniption, Bridges debriefs her on the assignment.

“You’re on watch duty in Section D. A bunch of lab coats are researching stuff you need to guard.”

 “Dr. Warrens is head of that section. The good doctor was hassled a few days ago, so you’ll need to baby sit as well.”

 Shit just doesn’t rain, it pours. “Sir, yes, sir.” She says as she is dismissed.

With the knowledge from the map Corbin walks to Section D, peeved from the events so far. She knows in her mind that this is what was to be expected, but it still feels like salt on an open wound. On top of guarding things she is being forced to watch some crack pot lab coat. If I’m lucky, he won’t be a pervert. Then the thought of watching an old man made her grimace. If I’m lucky, he won’t be an old pervert. Walking through the double glass doors into a large room Corbin is stunned with awe by the objects the technicians were working with. A large circular stone sits in the middle of the lab with seven towering obelisks surrounding it. The stones are covered with detailed carvings that look ancient. The technicians completely miss Corbin’s approach, engrossed in their work as she walks around one of the obelisks. The hair on the back of her neck rises feeling the age and majesty from the stone. She carefully raises her hand to touch it, but abruptly stops when she hears a commotion from one of the side offices.

“WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?! THAT IS ALL I NEED, ANOTHER MARINE WITH A GUN RUNNING AROUND MY LAB?!!”

The woman’s voice was high pitch and sounded as if she had reached her limit of anger. Corbin walks slowly over to the office watching the distressed woman through the window. Frantically talking with her hands, the furious diminutive blonde continues her conference with the other staff members. One of the technicians, a small balding man, adjusts his thick glasses.

“Well, Doctor, in light of the previous incident, Kelly...”

The woman cuts him off, “OH, NO. Don’t even start. It was Delta that caused the increase of security in the first place. We didn’t. AS for the INCIDENT, that was caused by some escaped mental patient who, as it so happens, was a MARINE!”

She throws up her hands and walks out of the office ranting. “Kelly can keep his gun wielding Neanderthal apes to himself. I swear I think they are all bred… to look the same?”

The woman is stopped in her tracks as she sees Corbin standing with her hands behind her back staring directly at her. The woman much shorter to Corbin’s 5’7” height looks up at her with her mouth slightly agape and blushes. Corbin cocks an eyebrow.

“Doctor Warren, I presume.”

Dr. Warren is struck silent by the sight of the woman. Since she had been on this planet, the only military personnel she has seen were men making the idea of a woman Marine seem foreign. On top of gawking, she had just called her an ape. Corbin keeps a stony expression, but relishes the scarlet look upon the woman’s face. After letting her stew in uncomfortable silence she proceeds.

“I was assigned here for security. I wasn’t told about running around wielding a weapon, so I assume that’s not part of the job.”

Dr. Warren nervously takes off her glasses and rubs the bridge of her nose.

“Look…”

“Corporal Corbin.”

“Corporal, please don’t take offense, but we don’t need the security.”

“Sorry, ma’am, that’s not for you to decide.”

Snapping from her embarrassment Warren looks at her with renewed anger.

“Excuse me? I am the director for this lab. I believe it is…”

“Under SOP’s the role of the Marines is to protect UAC interests. Master Sergeant Kelly’s orders out rank yours. If you don’t like it you’ll need to take it up with him.”

“Now wait a minute…”

“If you’d tell me where the security desk is I’ll leave you to your work.”

The short balding man pushes his way through smiling, “I’ll show you.”   

“Ted?!”

“She’s right. You’ll have to take it to Kelly. Anyway, I don’t see standing here all day arguing about it being progressive. This way, Corporal” He motions to Corbin as they walk away leaving Warren standing there fuming. She mumbles as they leave.

“Be sure I WILL talk to Kelly.”

As they walk Ted takes the time to show her around, and give his life story.  Apparently, Dr. Theodore Standish has done many things that in his head sound interesting. Through his lecture of personal glory, Corbin learns about the history of the finds filling the labs.

“The theory that Mars was once habitable has been a cornerstone to the research here. Over the years since the habitation of Mars, we have discovered a fossilized record of primitive life-forms. Microbes and plant-life, nothing too overly complex, but two years ago, actual archeological evidence of an intelligent species were uncovered on the cusp of Noctis Labyrinthus. Three sites in all were discovered there. Delta Labs have been researching that find.”

“What are these?” She motions to the obelisks.

“About two months ago deep within one of the smaller Mon sites to the north, we discovered them. We are calling them the Ahura because some of the iconography is reminiscent of ancient Persian art. We moved everything here piece by piece.”

“How old?”

“Carbon dating points to 41st century BCE, which may not be reliable due to the conditions on Mars. I think once we decipher the text, we would have a better idea.”

Passing by many different work stations, Ted spewed more facts and figures that seemed to go over her head. Corbin just nodded her head as they, at last, make their way to the upper security deck. The first thing she notices the multitude of monitors. The room is cramped, but the small window overlooks the main lab. As Ted leaves, he gives Corbin a concerned look.

“Don’t take what Dr. Warren said personal. She’s being protective of the project. Heck, we are all a bit guarded here with Dr. Betruger trying to transfer the find to his department. She’s just making sure we get to continue our work.”

Corbin nods as he saunters off, and proceeds with work. It really can’t be called work, more like extended boredom. The jobs of these people were extremely tedious and repetitive. It was like watching the goings on in an ant farm. The need for sleep was becoming increasingly obvious as she tried to stay awake. Drifting into microsleep for a few seconds, she would jerk awake staring wide-eyed at the screen. She found herself willing the clock to move faster. They have to stop sometime. Eventually, the clock reached 1700 hours and the workers began to leave.  It didn’t take very long to secure the lab as she walked around the lab longing for her bunk. She then catches movement from one of the smaller lab sections. Cautiously she approaches the room and peers inside. She almost laughs at the spectacle of Dr. Warren in the most unlady-like position, crawling on her back underneath one of the larger workstations. She strains as she tries to connect to the wiring. Corbin stands there for a moment watching her struggle. She had to be in her late twenties, her shape is plainly revealed since she discarded her frumpy lab coat. While she wore a modest red blouse and skirt black skirt, the look suited her. She was not too athletic, but definitely well proportioned and shapely. She pushes on one of her legs to wiggle back further hiking up her dress to the middle of her thigh. Corbin blushes and tries not to look, but her eyes keep roving trying to take in the sight. To keep from further embarrassment, she decides to make her presence known.

“Excuse me, Ma’am.”

In shock Dr. Warren raises quickly, smacking her head on the underside of the desk. Pain shoots through her skull like an ice pick. She cries out and slowly crawls from under the desk holding her head as if to keep it from splitting apart. It takes a moment to let the pain subside long enough to open her eyes to look at the woman standing over her. Corbin stands there wide eyed.

“I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“What… do you want?”

“I was locking up, and need to know how long you will be.”

“I don’t know. I usually stay late… I’ll set the system when I leave.”

“I can’t leave until all personnel have left for the day. It is protocol.”

Dr. Warren squints at her and stands, still holding her head slightly.

“Well, I guess you’ll just have to wait until I am done. I recall you stating that your assignment was not my decision. So, frankly, I don’t care how late you must stay.”

Corbin stiffens at the thought of working into the early morning. It was hard enough just to keep awake today. It was clear the woman was punishing her for this morning, knowing full well she would stay as late as needed. If she was going to be stubborn and stay, Corbin was decidedly hell bent to prove her mettle against her. She could outlast her, eventually Warren would go home.

“Fine. I’ll be at the desk.”

Hours pass and neither woman would relent to sleep. Corbin watches her closely as she works on paperwork. She notices her fatigue and her consumption of caffeine. God, she is stubborn. Glancing at the clock, she groans at the time. 0320 hours. Being denied sleep Corbin’s body starts to slow down and she starts nods off. After jerking awake for the fifth time, Corbin stands up and walks back to the offices in defeat. As she enters she sees Dr. Warren face down on the desk sleeping, her glasses on top of her head and body slumped in an uncomfortable position. Corbin gets the notion to wake her suddenly and order her home, but she can’t. She can respect why she did it, even if it was to be a pain in her ass.  She bends over and picks her up taking her to the couch. Warren stirs slightly and snuggles against her causing Corbin to look down at the small woman and blush. She seems hell of a lot friendlier when she sleeps. Corbin lays her down and Warren completely passes out after her lab coat is placed over her. Walking to a corner of the room Corbin sits and leans back looking over at her. After a few moments, sleep takes hold and Corbin drifts off.

--- end Episode I ---

“This is Corbin, do you copy me, over?”

“Squad, report, over.”

Nothing but static. I have to keep moving. I take a deep breath and bolt for the next cover. The ground all around me becomes alive with a hail of bullets. Running down one the dark alleys, I try to keep out of the line of fire. Finally with a building between me and the sniper, the world quiets again. I walk slowly and see a near intact building that has light coming from it. I take a chance and sprint to the building. The bullets whiz by as I make my way to it. I duck in and quickly assess the room. The building is some hotel and the foyer is empty. I pause to notice the sniper has stopped firing. I walk to the door and peer out. Nothing. I take a step forward and the dirt in front of me bursts into dust. I stand still as I spot the sniper’s roost. A red dot dances across me. He could have picked me off, but he’s holding. The realization hits me like ice water, he has been herding me here the whole time. I close my eyes and walk back into the hotel.

The hotel has seen better days. Its once intricate walls and lavish floors are now pock marked with bullet holes and blackened with soot. The chandelier dangles near the floor flickering. I walk slowly keeping my rifle level as I climb the central stairs. It starts out softly, and at first I don’t quite believe what I am hearing. A wailing, pitiful and long pierces the night. Dimming lights cast eerie shadows as I turn and walk down the corridor on the second floor. The screaming gets louder. A door at the end of the hall is cracked open and light spills from it. I creep slowly holding my weapon at the ready. The screams are incoherent, but I know they originate from the room. I push the door open and peer in. There is so much blood in the room, and kneeling in the center, Corporal Hawthorn is screaming.

“Hawthorn, report.”

He whimpers, but still won’t face me. I scan the room and walk carefully toward him. It seems unreal as my mind tries to comprehend what it is seeing.

“I don’t wanna see it anymore, Gunny. Please, don’t make me see it…”

His face horribly disfigured with lacerations, and his eyes are glistening empty holes. He holds up his hands to me as if to take something from him and cries softly. In the center of his bloodied palms, he holds his eyes. Something moves outside the door, I whisper to Hawthorn to stay put. I move halfway down the hall when I hear a gunshot behind me. Rushing back to the room, I close my eyes at the sight. Hawthorn lies on the floor, with a gaping hole in the back of his head and a smoking pistol in his hand. I bend over and swipe his tag.

“At ease, Marine.”

Continuing I creep down the corridors to the stairwell. Sickening laughter and mocking whispers can be heard coming from everywhere. Words written in gore adorn the walls of the stairwell. Much of it is incomprehensible; the only passages I can make out are surrounding this strange symbol. The darkness shall have dominion. Bring them forth so we may devour them. Step by step, I climb the stair. Looking up I can see brief movement and my muscles tighten. Scrambling to the fourth floor, I enter the hall. The smell of rotting lemons fills the air making me gag slightly. Entering a side room cautiously, I spot a broken PDA among the ruined furniture of the sitting room. Figures cast shadows through the double doors leading to the bedroom. I kick the doors in and aim my rifle. Bodies of dead civilians litter the floor and the bed lies haphazardly to the side of the room. To the side I spot Sergeant Davis crouched on the ground holding a young woman whose eyes are tear-stained and hollow looking. He stands up keeping a hand around the girl’s wrist as she slumps. His presence is unnatural and his eyes shine with a purple-green hue. Strange symbols are cut deep into his bare chest and his mouth is bloody. I keep my weapon aimed at him.

“Hey, Gunny. I didn’t think you’d make it.”

“Report, Davis.”

“We located the hostiles. See?” He pulls the girl up to him by the wrist, gripping her by the face. “Mission accomplished.”

“These are civilians not hostiles. Stand down.”

He looks at me and smirks, causing a shiver to crawl down my back.

“They call to us, don’t you hear them?”

“Where is the rest of the squad?”

“They were judged and found lacking, but us… we’re worthy.”

“What have you done?”

“Fear… I can smell it…taste it.”

He licks the side of the of the girl’s face with a split tongue. She recoils with terror.

“Let her go, that’s an order.”

“It’s right behind the eyes, the darkness. It slithers under the skin and we’re reborn.”

I aim the weapon carefully; this isn’t the man I knew. Davis was my best friend. He was always happy-go-lucky in comparison to my seriousness. He’d give me a soft knowing smile when we would get drunk on leave and tell each other our troubles. Beaming at me with that smile, it is like a monster was wearing his skin. Mocking what he was.

“I will use force, if you don’t comply, Marine.”

“Let us devour the light.”

He bites deep into the girl’s cheek and she screams in shock as he rips off a chunk of flesh. I squeeze the trigger hitting his shoulder spinning him into the wall. He turns cocking his head to the side; the girl scrambles away from him.

“Stand down!”

He staggers towards me and I let off another round into his chest. He reels backward as contents of his insides are painted on the wall. I can’t believe he is even able to stand again as he pushes himself up. The stench of rotting lemons is overwhelming and stings my eyes. Before I can fire again the girl screams looking behind me. I turn as I am slammed to the floor. I hold my rifle in front of me to keep the snapping jaw of Private Bruin away from my face. The skin on the lower part of his face is missing leaving bloodstained teeth in the parody of a grin. The smell from him was unbearable as his 350 pound weight pins me to the ground. I thrash beneath him and scream.

Warren awakes to the sound of whimpering. She sits up looking around the dark office. The clock says 0535, but she can’t remember falling asleep or getting on the couch. She hears the sobbing again and can finally make out a person in the corner of the room. Walking over she sees Corbin thrashing in her sleep. Weeping she calls out for mercy. Warren softly places her hand on her shoulder to wake her.

“Corbin, wake up. You’re okay.”

Corbin knocks her hand away and pushes her harshly to the ground. Straddling her, Corbin pins Warren down. Warren struggles against her.

“Get off of me!”

The futile flailing against her hold causes Warren to sob in panic. Corbin blinks in confusion as she stares into pleading green eyes.

“Please…let me go.”

Corbin releases her and backs away. Warren rises quickly holding her chest trying to catch her breath. Shame and pain crush Corbin’s soul as she holds herself. Warren watches her with uncertainty. Corbin can’t bear to look at her. Picking up her coat she backs out of the office leaving Corbin in her despair.

After a shower and a fair amount of coffee Dr. Warren heads back to the lab. The event plays in her mind as she walks through Mars City. She had never felt so confused. Her first reaction to all of it was to blame the Marine. The arrival of the Marine yesterday had infuriated her. She immediately sent an e-mail to Kelly demanding the military to say out of the lab, but the response was less than favorable. Like Ted had said they had control, even in her lab. Kelly stated bluntly that either a warm body was going to be there or a sentry bot. Mixom sentry bot’s were notorious for short circuiting due to the Mars atmosphere. Normally the bot would just stop working, but there were some horror stories about the bot firing the machinegun attached to it indiscriminately. No, she couldn’t afford that risk. The recent trend of psychotic episodes on Mars had made everyone wonder if the cause was contagious. Even Warren thought it was possible, but that couldn’t be the reason for the Corporal’s behavior. She had pulled up some information on Corbin yesterday, and found she was just transferred in. She tried to focus on what happened, but the thought of being helpless made her chest tighten. A hand on her shoulder makes her jump nearly out of her skin.

“Celeste!”

Theresa looks at Warren with concern.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, you just startled me.”

“I’ve been trying to get your attention, girl.”

“Sorry, just have a lot on my mind.”

“Are we still on for lunch today?”

“Yes, of course.”

Theresa beams brightly, “Good, cause if you bailed again, I’d have to kidnap you. So help me, I’ll make you sociable.”

“I’m sociable.”

Theresa crosses her arms.

“I am.”

“How many times have you gone out in the last month?”

The question seemed almost impossible to answer. In truth, since the discovery she hadn’t really done anything but research the artifacts. Her friend was right, not even once had she done anything other than work. Her silence made Theresa laugh.

“See. All work and no play make Celeste a dull girl. Lunch is only the beginning, this weekend you will relax.”

Before she could protest Theresa bounded off for the EnPro plant.

“See you later.”

The rest of the morning was uneventful. When she arrived at the lab she didn’t see the Corporal though she saw the security room was lit up. The scans of all of the pillars were almost complete; however, the language program still hadn’t deciphered the text. Many theories on the use of the stones had been formulated, but without decoding the language, it was just a stab in the dark. She was in the middle of restoring a stone tablet when she noticed the time. Begrudgingly, she halted her endeavor and made her way to the cafeteria. If she didn’t show this time, Theresa would make good on her promise. After grabbing her tray she walked through the line. Still in thought, she failed to notice the person in front of her stopping, nearly spilling her tray contents on them. Betruger looks down himself for food stains giving Warren an annoyed look.

“Concentrating on other things, are we Dr. Warren?”

“Sorry about that Dr. Betruger.”

He gives a cold fake smile. “No harm done. I have heard you have finished scanning the glyphs. Have you had success in translating them?”

“Not yet, though I am quite sure it will only be a matter of time.”

Following her into the dining area he tries to look considerate, but failing.

“If you would consider my offer, our combined efforts would hasten unlocking its secrets. Your research runs parallel to my own.”

She holds up her hand to stop his speech which he has recounted to her every time he sees her now.

“Doctor, I do appreciate your offer, but I cannot undertake a merger at this time. We just finished moving everything, and the cataloging won’t be complete until next month.”

She spots Theresa and Liz sitting at a table. Theresa waves ecstatically for her.

“Sorry, I have to go.”

Before she can rush off, Betruger holds her by the upper arm, his expression turning dark.

“You may think you can continue controlling your find, but eventually the council will turn it over to me. You won’t have a choice.”

She pulls her arm away eyeing him with contempt.

“Until that happens, Doctor, I still do. The ruins stay in Beta.”

She walks toward the table in a foul mood setting down her tray hard.

“What a bastard.”

Theresa shakes her head.

“Don’t pay attention to him, he can’t do anything.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that.” Liz looks up from her simulated-salad and glances at Betruger leaving.

“He has been commandeering a lot of resources for Delta, and the council is actually backing him.”

Warren takes off her glasses and rubs the bridge of her nose in frustration. Just another thing she has to worry about. Theresa sits back and looks at her with a waiting gaze.

“What?”

“Don’t what me. What the hell is going on? You look like you haven’t slept, and you’re preoccupied.”

“We are just finishing up the scans, which we can’t translate. We have tried everything, and now the only thing left is to do it by hand.” She stated plainly hoping to change the subject.

Theresa gives her “the look”, and Warren cringes slightly. She hated when Theresa would look at her that way. It always made her resolve crumble, and she would have no choice but to divulge the truth.

“Kelly is mandating security in the lab.”

Theresa looks slightly puzzled. “Well, after the break in, maybe you should.”

“But we already tightened security. We added new pressure doors with encrypted locking systems, motion sensitive sensors are placed all round the lab, and all of the dataholds are secured in a centralized repository. No one can get in without the proper access. Having a guard there while we work is overkill, and frankly makes the staff uneasy.”

“Does it really make the staff uneasy?”

Warren didn’t take the rumors of the epidemic too seriously until a Marine came into Section D and started ransacking the lab. She remembered noticing him standing around the obelisks. He seemed out of it and confused. She walked up to him to see why he was there, but as soon as he saw her we went berserk. It was like something in him snapped; he was foaming at the mouth and ranting about some coming apocalypse. He grabbed her and hurled her across the surface scanner. Before he could grab her again, Ted struck the man with a light pole which seemed to make him aggravated. He began to attack anyone and everything in his sight. It finally took five people to subdue him. When all was assessed, he had destroyed a datahold and five scanners and dislocated Ted’s shoulder. Not only did it unnerve everyone, but set the lab back two weeks. Warren didn’t want to admit it, but the incident got to her. She vividly remembered the murderous glare in his eyes as she tried to crawl away from him. She had never been so frightened in her life.

“Look, I can’t have a trained killer in the lab. We were lucky we were able to stop the last one. Poor Ted was out for a week.”

Liz cocked her eyebrow at her.

“Who was assigned to work security?”

“Corporal Corbin.”

“I haven’t heard of him. Did he just transfer in?”

“She transferred in yesterday morning.”

Theresa’s eyes go wide in surprise, “You mean it’s a woman?”

Liz looks incredulously at her, “Yes, there are women in the military. There have been for centuries.”

“It’s just a rare sight here. Of all the people on Mars City, there are like only a handful of females.”

“That’s due to the radiation on the surface. There’s the risk of birth defects. You’re either sterile or have an implant. Company doesn’t want to be held libel.”

“I thought they made us have implants because of all the lonely males.” She winks at Warren.

Liz rolls her eyes and turns her attention back to Warren.

“She’s new. That’s a good thing. Has she really done anything wrong?”

“Not during the shift. She mainly stayed in the security room.”

“So, what’s the problem?”

Warren squirmed a little. She didn’t really want to go into it.

“She attacked me last night. I don’t think she meant to do it, though.”

“What happened?”

“I worked late, and she had to stay. I fell asleep, so I think she ended up sleeping on the floor waiting.”

Now that she was stating what happened, she began to feel ashamed. She was being a complete bitch by staying late. She was just so angry.

“I woke up hearing her cry in her sleep. When I tried to wake her, she jumped on top of me. She let me go when she realized who I was.”

“Post traumatic stress disorder. I see it in Marines that come back from combat situations. It happens when a person has a horrific experience. One of the symptoms is night terrors. To them they are reliving the event as if it were real.”

Theresa looks at Liz with pity, “God, not only do they go through something like that, but they have to live it over and over…every night.”

“She probably didn’t realize what was going on, but I can imagine she feel bad about it afterward. It was foolish of you to try to wake her like you did. You could’ve been hurt badly.”

The memory of Corbin’s face made her feel worse. The woman was in such despair, but Warren didn’t know what to do. So she ran away. No wonder she didn’t want to face her this morning. She made a troubled person feel guilty, and it was all her fault for making her stay. Putting her face in her hands she groans in realization.

“God, I’ve screwed up.”

Liz looked over the top of her glasses and smiled.

“Not every Marine is a mouth foaming lunatic. The way things are happening here, you might need a good one.”

The rest of the conversation at lunch was steered by Theresa and her problems with Lloyd in the EnPro plant. Walking to the lab, Warren made up her mind to fix what happened. She entered the lab and marched straight to the security room. She found Corbin sitting in front of the screens; she didn’t even bother to turn around. Warren closed the door behind her; leaving her and Corbin in the small room alone.

“We need to talk.”

--- end Episode II ---